Vocalist Aidan Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton met in Falkirk, bonded over their mutual love for Drag City recording artists such as Smog and Will Oldham, and began a collaboration in 1995. The band is completed by violinist Jenny Reeve and cellist Stacey Sievewright. Arab Strap's marked characteristics include frank and forthright lyrics delivered in a Scottish brogue.
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton confirmed the rumours about the end of Arab Strap on 8th September 2006. They celebrated their Ten Years of Tears with a tour through the UK and the rest of Europe. After UK/Europe, they made a short secret tour in Japan as the last of Arab Strap. In 2016, however, they have reunited a decade after their breakup and will be touring throughout the year 2017.
Autumnal
Arab Strap Lyrics
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When you're mobile, we'll go, take my toys and your cat with us.
We'll leave the violence, we'll hve something to do.
With a couch-bed in the front room for when our friends come through.
It's painting a kitchen that's keeping me going
And we've already named the seeds I'll be sowing.
And when they've grown up (that's hoping that I don't shoot blanks)
Could we move right up north, find a house near the shores and the banks?
We'll meet old friends at funerals and pretend that we've missed them.
And if they were here, they'd say it was shocking
To find we've already named the dog we'll be walking.
It's choosing a mattress that's keeping me going
And we've already named the seeds I'll be sowing.
The lyrics of "Autumnal" by Arab Strap, a Scottish indie band, revolve around the singer's desire to settle down and make a home with their partner. The singer is envisioning a future where they can travel together once their partner learns how to drive, leaving behind the chaos and violence of their current surroundings. They want to create a comfortable space for themselves and their friends, with a couch-bed in the front room and plans to paint the kitchen. The singer is also anticipating a future where they can start a family and move up north, finding a house near the shores and banks. The lyrics are filled with small details and hopes for a future that is both domestic and exciting.
The repetition of the phrase "we've already named the seeds I'll be sowing" emphasizes the singer's excitement for the future and their desire to plan and prepare for it. The singer is clinging to the hope of a better future while they endure the challenges of the present. Even choosing a mattress becomes a meaningful task because it is tied to their aspirations for a fulfilling life with their partner. The lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of autumn, where the vibrant colors of the season are tinged with the melancholy of endings and the uncertainty of what comes next.
Line by Line Meaning
If you learn to drive, I can use the train and the bus.
If you learn to drive, I won't have to rely on public transportation to get us places.
When you're mobile, we'll go, take my toys and your cat with us.
Once you can drive, we'll take my belongings and your cat with us when we travel.
We'll leave the violence, we'll have something to do.
We'll escape from the violence and find things to occupy our time.
With a couch-bed in the front room for when our friends come through.
We'll have a sofa bed in the living room for when our friends visit us.
It's painting a kitchen that's keeping me going
Painting the kitchen is what's motivating me right now.
And we've already named the seeds I'll be sowing.
We've already picked out the names for the seeds I'll be planting.
And when they've grown up (that's hoping that I don't shoot blanks)
Assuming I'm fertile, when the plants have matured,
Could we move right up north, find a house near the shores and the banks?
Do you think we could relocate to the northern part of the country and find a house near the coast?
With a big fuck-off telly, a brand new stereo system.
We'd have a large television and a new stereo system.
We'll meet old friends at funerals and pretend that we've missed them.
We'll see old acquaintances at funerals and act as though we've been longing to catch up.
And if they were here, they'd say it was shocking
If our deceased friends were here, they'd be surprised at the status of our life.
To find we've already named the dog we'll be walking.
To discover that we've already picked out a name for the dog we plan to get one day.
It's choosing a mattress that's keeping me going
Deciding on a new mattress is what's keeping me motivated at the moment.
And we've already named the seeds I'll be sowing.
We've already selected the names for the seeds I'll be planting.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The G
One of the best albums ever made. I adore this.
tj chesney
Such an underrated band. Their new album is great
el retratista
Antoine Roquetin tienes razón ,o lo describes muy bien, la voz nunca sube mas, es algo asombroso, y añadiria que estos "tempos" tan lentos son enormemente difíciles de mantener! un merito para el bateria y la banda! me estan encantando por cien motivos mas ademas.. me parecen sinceros! ya ves, me he echo Fan exclusivo! hay que ver lo que sale de vez en cuando y que era tan esperado, que te suena tan cercano y familiar, pero que no se esperaba para nada tampoco! ya que nunca hay que esperar nada, dicen, y es cierto, me parece..! graciosa la vida! :)
William Drake
I was taking a coworker to work one day in early 2000's. I was listening to this album. she said it sounded like funeral music. I told her I like going to funerals.😀
William Drake
@Samuel Morse naw, missed opportunity 😢
William Drake
@Breathingspace naw🤣
Samuel Morse
Did you cop a feel?
Breathingspace
But are you two together now?
Thomas Atwood
Brutally, brilliantly romantic
Carlos Escribano
Delicada y violenta. Elegante y sucia. Es increíble cómo esta canción muestra matices tan opuestos entre sí; cómo va creciendo poco a poco, a través de cambios de intensidad sutiles e instrumentos que se van añadiendo a medida que la música crece.El sonido progresa poco a poco, pero esa voz atormentada y cansada se mantiene, me parece algo bellísimo. Amor a primera vista, o a primera escucha. Es la primera vez que escucho esta banda y me están causando una buenísima impresión.